The society that Baldwin and Friedan are exposed to is already set as soon as they enter it. For example, Baldwin says, “I had been well conditioned by the world in which I grew up, so I did not yet dare take the idea of becoming a writer seriously.” (Baldwin, 24). Baldwin feels alienated here because it seems the world …show more content…
already assumes he should not take risks and become something he wants to be. He feels alienated in the sense that he is not permitted to become part of the writing culture of America. They are expected to become a particular image. The world that he lives suggests that blacks do not become serious writers. Much like Baldwin, Friedan expresses the woman’s point of view of how they should and ought to act. Friedan says, “In the second half of the twentieth century in America, woman’s world was confined to her body and beauty, the charming of man, the bearing of babies, and the physical care and serving of husband, children, and home.” (Friedan, 27). In Friedan’s point of view, she amplifies the sense that women restrict themselves to being what nature intended them to do, and that is bear a child and serve her husband, and that is it. They are alienated from joining the men in the workforce. There is no mention at the time of finding a career or starting her own business. Therefore, it looks as if the world is set for both Baldwin and Friedan already. As soon as they are born into the world, they are expected to follow a set path and not go off a beaten one like pursuing higher education.
The higher the education someone has, the more they feel superior.
A college girl tells Friedan “If your husband is going to be an organization man, you can’t be too educated. The wife is awfully important for the husband’s career. You can’t be too interested in art, or something like that.” (Friedan, 177). This college student is emphasizing that women should not further their education and not be smarter than men. She also feels that women are alienated since most careers require higher education and the real careers are reserved and already taken by men. Moreover, she expresses that women should not get in a man’s way of success because society believes men are supposed to be more intelligent in everything besides being a housewife that is why she should not pursue a career that requires high education. This could break the abnormal image of women challenging men in their careers. However, if women want real careers and rise greater than a housewife, risk is
necessary.
Taking risks opens more opportunity for others. Friedan comments on taking a risk on education and she asserts, “But every girl who manages to stick it out through law school or medical school who finishes her M.A. or Ph.D. and goes on to use it, helps others move on. Every woman who fights the remaining barriers to full equality which are masked by the feminine mystique makes it easier for the next woman.” (Friedan, 452). This reinforces that if one woman can finish their studies and make an impact on society, then others will believe they can too. Friedan believes women are capable challenging the status quo and getting degrees and become professionals, however, the first few people who challenge it will have the hardest time since it is not common for them to do this. As more women see other women pursue and finish their degrees, the easier it will become for them to enter professional careers made up of predominantly men. We never know if one of these women could create the next big startup or be the next Marie Curie. Similarly, Baldwin talks about risk and believes that “If one cannot risk oneself, then one is simply incapable of giving. And, after all, one can give freedom only by setting someone free.” (Baldwin, 86). Baldwin does not mention education like Friedan but is suggesting that people should get involved with their community and give back to help others to free about themselves. Also, to be risky and become someone they actually want to be without caring what society will think. Take for example, an African American student who risks getting criticized by others but still goes to medical school because being a surgeon is what he truly wants to become and would make him feel happy. Once people see that he took a risk and became a surgeon, others will think it will be easier for the next person to do the same as with the case of women getting a college degree. Only when one takes risks and achieves something great themselves will they be able to help and inspire others.
Having more knowledge about others can make one look at themselves another way. Baldwin offers an explanation of how a problem can be solved by understanding the subject better and he says “The only way he can be released from the Negro’s tyrannical power over him is to consent, in effect, to become black himself, to become part of that suffering and dancing country that he now watches from the heights of his lonely power ...” (Baldwin, 96). Baldwin is suggesting that people especially whites get involved in other affiliations that promote equal opportunity. Once whites do this, they will have a better image and understanding of how they view blacks and will realize blacks need more equality. Like Baldwin, Friedan is suggesting women get involved in college education and affiliations that men are part of in order to get involved with the opportunities men are pursuing. One solution Friedan mentions for this is having colleges educate women on having a life plan. Friedan says “The more [women] are encouraged to make that new life plan…. the less conflicts and unnecessary frustrations they will feel as wives and mothers, and the less their daughters will make mistaken choices for lack of a full image of woman’s identity. (Friedan, 444). If women have no guidance towards a new identity, then they cannot learn their purpose in life besides raising a family and doing household chores. Friedan is stressing that colleges need to create a new curriculum for women that teaches them knowledge beyond keeping the house clean and courses that can stimulate creativity so that they can distort society’s image of what a woman should be.